Chapter 8: Zoe's Old Pack (Part 1)
As both James and I watched in shock, Zoe had Laura pinned by the wrist. “Shit… this isn’t good,” I muttered to James. Laura was the girl I had been flirting with the day Zoe found out we were mates. Laura screamed in pain as Zoe twisted her arm. “We need to stop her!” James shouted. I rushed forward, grabbing Laura around the waist to block Zoe’s attack. But as I looked at her, her eyes had turned a darker, almost stormy shade of blue. Her wolf, Celeste, was loose, radiating raw, uncontrollable power.
Who is this girl? Where is she getting this strength? I thought. Why does she feel more powerful than an Alpha? “Kneel,” Zoe’s voice rang out, commanding and cold. I froze. That wasn’t just Zoe. It was Celeste, her wolf. In that one word, the power radiating off her forced all nearby wolves to bow instinctively. “Looks like you’re saving your whore, Zeus,” Celeste hissed, her voice echoing with authority, before shimmering away like a living shadow. Everyone gasped. I let go of Laura and tried to follow, but James stopped me. “Let her cool down. Think you’ve done enough for now, Alpha,” he warned.
I caught the whispers around me: “Did you see that?” “How did she do that?” Beta-level? Her wolf can’t be of Beta level, she seems more powerful, even more powerful than an Alpha, and that’s impossible… I muttered to myself. To prevent panic, I Alpha-commanded the pack members, forcing them to remain silent. I needed answers first, not chaos.
Next Morning
I woke up with a pounding headache. “Celeste… what happened?” I muttered, only to realise she wasn’t there. What the hell happened, and then after a few seconds, I remembered, Laura, Zack, protecting her, and Celeste was about to lose control, and then we shimmered out of there. Damn! They saw me shimmer. I wanted to hide that from everyone, even Zack. Celeste, are you there? And then I turned to check the time, crap! I’m late. Lucas is going to kill me. I showered quickly, dressed, and ran toward the training grounds. Lucas and the others were already waiting. Shit… they’re all here… I’m so dead.
Lucas spotted me and gestured for me to hurry. As I approached, Levi, the Blue Pack’s Gamma and in charge of training, called the group to attention. His eyes widened when he recognised me. I smiled, enjoying his silent surprise. “Alright, listen up,” Levi began. “These warriors are from the Red Water Pack. They’ll be assessing and training us for the next four weeks. I hope everyone improves.” He nodded to Lucas to introduce the Red Water Pack team.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Lucas said confidently. “We are from Red Water Pack. I am Lucas, Beta. This is Audrey, Riley, Ethan, Aria, and… Zoe.” His smirk widened as he spoke directly to me. “You all know her. Zoe, come forward and greet your old pack.” I stepped forward. Boys whispered among themselves; the girls’ eyes were daggers. Nothing’s changed.
“You all may know me,” I said, holding their gazes, “but let me introduce myself properly. I will be your worst nightmare. I am Zoe Berry—best female warrior of the Red Water Pack, and an enforcer.” My words caused a stir. “Pfft, no way. Zoe Berry? She was ugly, weak, wolfless,” a voice scoffed. Carol. I remembered her — one of Laura’s lackeys. “Carol, sorry to disappoint you,” I said, smirking. “But I’m not the girl you used to bully. She’s gone… improved.”
“So that ugly fatty bitch is back?” Laura’s voice rang out.
“Who’s calling who fat? And who’s the bitch here, Laura? Oh, wait… maybe you mean yourself,” I replied evenly, while Lucas, Ethan, and the others motioned me to assert myself. Laura sneered. “Nothing’s changed. Still hiding behind minions and calling yourself the best warrior?”
“You know, Laura,” I said, voice dripping venom, “maybe that’s a better description of you. Always hiding, always a follower… and the best whore in the pack, right?” She charged, swinging a punch. I sidestepped with precision.
“Is that all you’ve got?” I was taunted. “Shut up!” she screamed. “You were worthless then, worthless now! People avoid you because you bring bad luck. You’re why your parents died!” She lunged, claws extended. “Zoe!” my pack shouted in unison. Celeste stirred, furious. I could feel her energy flare uncontrollably. No one harms my human, she growled. Let me handle this. That woman needs to pay, Celeste whispered in my mind.
Calm down, Celeste, I replied. Jacob doesn’t want us to kill anyone. Control yourself. If we lose our temper, Alpha Zack could ruin the allied connection. I prayed Laura wouldn’t push it too far. If she did, Celeste would not hold back — and no one, not even me, could stop her then.